Case Study – Rheumatoid Arthritis – Flashcards
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Which of the follow is not a characteristic of RA? Autoimmune Inflammatory Asymmetrical joint pain Females more commonly affected than males
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Asymmetrical joint pain is wrong. RA affects joints symmetrically
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Which of the following is the most appropriate definition for RA? 1.Painful degenerative joint disease 2.Inflammatory reponse to deposition of crystals in joints 3.Inflammatory joint disease caused by autoimmune disorder
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3.Inflammatory joint disease caused by autoimmune disorder (1 is OA and 2 is gout)
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What is RA called in children?
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Still's disease
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What gene is common in 75% of patients?
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HLA DR4
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What joints are most commonly affected first?
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MCPs, PIPs
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True or false - can RA affect TMJ?
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True
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True or false - does RA typically affect Tx and Lx?
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False, upper Cx is more commonly affected
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As RA progresses, what can happen to the surrounding muscles?
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Muscle atrophy
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Muscle atrophy and joint destruction can result in what?
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Joint instability and deformities
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What part of the joint becomes swollen?
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Synovium
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What is vascular granulation tissue across the cartilage also termed?
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Pannus - disrupts hyaline cartilage
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Where can osteoporosis develop?
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In bones immediately adjacent to affected joints, especially in the fingers
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Which of the following are NOT associated symptoms with RA? Multisystem disease Hyperplasia of lymphoid tissue with splenomegaly Cutaneous nodules Vasculitis Scleritis
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All of the symptoms are associated with RA
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Diagnosis
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1. Morning stiffness greater than 1 hour of 6 wks duration 2. Pain/swelling of 3 or more joint areas, of 6 wks duration 3. Pain/swelling in hand joints, of 6 wks duration
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Rheumatoid factor is present in patients with RA, true or false?
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True
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What does the level of rheumatoid factor relate to?
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The severity of the disease
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Most pts have raised levels of what?
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Serum immunoglobins (directed against rheumatoid factor)
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What is ankylosis?
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Abnormal fusion of two bones. Can be seen on X-rays in pts with RA
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What else is commonly viewed on pts X-rays with RA?
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Loss of articular cartilage (so there's increased friction in joints) and bone erosion
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Which WBC can be found in the synovial fluid?
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Neutrophils
